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New York is one of five states that required insurers to sell to everyone prior to passage of the health law but did not require consumers to buy coverage, leading to some of the nation’s highest premiums.
States hope they will be better able to care for the federal health law’s 30 million newly insured patients by relaxing decades-old “scope of practice” laws that determine what care nurse practitioners can deliver.
State officials have no plans to help educate consumers about new insurance options. Other groups are stepping in, but some worry it won’t be enough.
Video: In remarks at the White House Thursday the president touted lower-than-projected premiums that have been announced for health insurance marketplaces in several states.
President uses speech to push back against critics, highlight law’s benefits to middle-class and working Americans.
Medicare is considering assigning stars or other symbols to hospitals so that patients can compare quality more easily. Hospital groups are wary.
The law requires insurance counselors
UnitedHealthcare, Cigna and Assurant Health say they won’t participate, at least initially.
John Castellani, the head of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, notes support for health overhaul but says efforts to change Medicare Part D program and companies’ control of biologic drugs “would do serious harm to our industry.”
As more doctors turn to digitizing patient health records, large companies like Cerner are building bigger and more sophisticated ways to house — and secure — the nation’s health data, and it’s turning into a big business.
The health law allows insurers to charge smokers 50 percent higher premiums than nonsmokers but some states have decided not to allow that distinction in plans sold on the new online exchanges.
The federal government is paying doctors go to digital. But many practices are daunted by the expense and other obstacles as they struggle to take the leap from paper to electronic records.
